[41] 



CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. G99 



Growth -Tho pond was seined September 10, 1«82, and 7 of the original carp 

 taken. In less than 4 mouths these hsli have grown to bo a trille over 2 pounds To 

 grow from a little minnow of about 2 inches to a lish of 2 pounds' weight is remark- 

 able. Wo caught several old carp to-day which weighed from 3| to 4 pounds 



Repuoduction.— This season my carp commenced spawning quite carlv the first 

 spawn beiug discovered about tho middle of April. I found it to consist of a -dutinous 

 substance sticking to some brush in tho water. Upon holding it so that the li"ht 

 would pass through tho mass, I discovered that it contained living objects. I placed 

 the substance in a tumbler of water, and in a short time I had t) as sprightly little 

 fish as are to bo ecou. My pond during the early part of tho summer seemed alive 

 with small carp, and we could dip them up in buckets when after water. As soon as 

 they attained some size they disappeared, since which time they have not been seen 

 until to-day, wheu we caught 200 at one haul of a seine. 



Disposition of young.— I have distributed to several of my neighbors about 100 

 young carp to stock their ponds, and can furnish some for the purpose of stocking 

 streams. 



Id8. Statement of D. B. Long, Ellsworth, Ellsworth Co., Kans., Sejit. 10, 1882. 



Gkowtu. — About tho first week in May I put the 8 carp in a pond. They were 

 about 3 inches long at that time. To-day I captured 7 of them, averaging IG inches 

 in length and 4^ inches in depth. I believe they would average 2 pounds in weight. 



189. Statement of Benjamin Shaffer, Ellsworth, Ellsworth Co., Kans., Oct. 15, 1882. 



Growth.— I caught '.\ carp this fall in Smoky Hill River that weighed about 2 

 pounds each and measured 10 inches. They had escaped from tho State ponds. 



190. Statement of T. S. Hanway, Lane, Franklin Co., Kans., Out. 10, 1882. 



Disposition of carp received. — I placed my carp received Decembers, 1881, in a 

 pond 75 by 80 feet, constructed by the side of a spring branch and fed by two pipes. It 

 was so constructed that I could admit tho water into it at will. The surplus water 

 passes out, and the pond does not fill uj) and the water run over as when dammed. 

 I built a second pond this summer, which is 75 by 150 feet, and when full will be G feet 

 deep. It is also at the side of tho branch connected like the first. I saw tho carp for 

 the first time about the middle of last May. 



Enemies. — Cranes and coons caught some of the carp. 



Food. — My little boy, 10 years old, now feeds them every day, and has them so tame 

 that they will come like pigs when he calls and eat out of his hand; fine sport for 

 boys. I give the carp corn, apples, potatoes, and the refuse of the kitchen. They 

 are enormous eaters. 



Growth. — I have 20 fine-looking carp, some of which I caught the 10th of last Au- 

 gust. They measured 13 inches in length and o| in depth, and weighed 2 pounds. 



191. Statement of A. A. Moore, Dennis, Labette Co., Kans., Aug. 10, 1884. 



Growth and production. — I placed 20 carp in my pond in December, 1883, and 

 on drawing off the wateryesterday I found only 2 old carp, which, however, weighed 

 over 1 pound each. There were also in the pond 137 young 2 inches long. My carp 

 had no care at all, and I was surprised to find any in my pond, as it froze almost solid 

 last winter. 



192. Statement of Chas. A. Dow, Hartford, Lyon Co., Kans., Nov. 16, 1882. 



Disposition of carp received. I received 20 carp last December in good condi- 

 tion. I made a pond by damming a small ravine. About 10 rods above the first 

 dam I made another, to turn the surplus water into a ditch running around one side 

 of the pond and emptying into a ravine below. When full, the maximum depth of 

 the pond is about 6 feet. In September I had to put the carp into a small creek 

 flowing into the Neosho River. 



Growth. — In September, 15 of the carp averaged fully 10 inches in length. 



Difficulties. — Tho water leaked out of the pond beneath the dam. The dryness 

 of the summer compelled me to remove tho carp to the creek. 



193. Statement of John Pickering, Fontana, Miami Co., Kans., Aug. 2, 1883. 



Disposition OF CARP RECEIVED. — I received 20 carp in November, 18d0, and 20 

 more in November, 1882. My pond covers \i acres with depth of 2 to 11 leer, with 

 a bottom of mud and clay. It is entirely dependent on surface water from a 40-acro 



